Klaus Steinhaus

Cichlids have been my hobby for almost 40 years. But there was life before cichlids. I had my first fish tank (with guppies) when I was eight years old and I have never been without at least one tank since then. At the age of 20 and still living in Germany my interest turned to cichlids and I was permanently hooked. I joined the German Cichlid Association (DCG) and wrote several articles for their publication. This was an active group. It was divided into regional groups that had their own meetings, auctions, and sales. The association published a monthly magazine which included articles written by the members, a "For Sale" section for members to advertise their fish and equipment, and a greeting section for all new members. Once a year a membership list was published which included addresses and phone numbers. It was a true hobbyists’ association since everybody helped each other out with problems and tips.

When I moved to Canada in 1982 I had to sell all my fish and equipment as I was unable to continue my hobby due to my new job. After things settled down a bit, the old “Fish Tank Disease” took over again. “I need another tank for my fry." And another, and another….. Now I was up to 24 tanks and my main focus was the cichlids of Lake Tanganyika, specifically the genus Tropheus.

At one time I kept up to seven different types of Tropheus. These fish are just amazing to watch and their level of intelligence surprises me over and over again. Many people shy away from these beautiful fish because they “have heard” that they are difficult to keep. This is nonsense. There are a few rules you have to follow: don’t miss your 30-40 percent water change every week; feed only vegetable based food (I feed Spirulina only); don’t overfeed—it is better to feed smaller amounts more often then one big feeding; have strong filtration (most of my tanks have AquaClear® filters); avoid any drastic changes like a change to different food too fast, or a 3-4 degree temperature change during your water changes. I never had a Tropheus die on me due to an illness.

Lately my focus has shifted to the Central and South American cichlids. The eartheaters have especially peeked my interest. I have also set two tanks aside to keep some at risk cichlids from Central America.

To really enjoy a hobby, there has to be a social aspect to it. Being able to discuss your successes and failures with fellow hobbyists is one important part. The most important part however is to meet new people that have the same interests you have and make new friends. So I needed to look for an organization that not only promoted our hobby, but also included the missing social aspect. The local fish club, Durham Region Aquarium Society, was offering exactly that. So I joined and have met most of my present friends there. Since my main interest is with cichlids, I also joined the American Cichlid Association.

I also find it very interesting to see and hear all the different reasons why people get hooked on cichlids. To me, they are just amazing to watch and to study. They really do have a "personality." I try to offer my cichlids an environment as close as possible to their natural habitat. It is the only way to see their true behavior and character. I can sit in front of my tanks for hours and try to figure out the social structure in each particular tank and the weekly water changes are definitely a labor of love. But there is nothing more fun in this hobby than to sit with other cichlid "freaks," have a few beers, and talk cichlids until the small hours of the morning. So, if somebody wants to come for a visit, feel free to do so.

We are delighted and proud to have Klaus on the
CARES Preservation Program Team!

The C.A.R.E.S. Preservation Program is about our fish,
and it is about people.
We are one team, working together. Please, clear a tank ~ save a fish!
Because of you, we are making a difference!